Closure operator control system



Nov. 11, 1941.

' H, F. COLLINS CLOSURE OPERATOR CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Jan. 18, 1959 INVENTOR Harold Collins BY p (1.40,, ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 11, 1941 CLOSURE OPERATOR CONTROL SYSTEM Harold F. Collins, Rockford, Ill., assignor to Barber-Colman Company, Rockford, 111., a cor- Doration of Illinois Application January 18, 1939, Serial No. 251,526

Claims.

sons or vehicles passing through the doorway or the like which is controlled by the closure.

More specifically stated, it is an object of the invention to provide, in combination with a power actuated closure operator, 6. control system embodying a control member which requires a sustained manual actuation by the attendant during the entire period of the closing movement of the closure member and which is adapted.

upon an interruption in the actuation of such control member during this closing movement to restore the closure automatically to open position. By this means the attendant is first of all compelled to give his attention to the closure while it is closing and during which time there is greatest danger of injury to a person or vehicle attempting to pass through the doorway or the like. Secondly, if an emergency arises during the closing operation. the attendant has only to release the manual control member in order for the door to return automatically to its safe open position.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the character described embodying a novel and simplified electric control circuit arranged to be governed by a simple manually actuated switch mechanism.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds, taken in connection with the v accompanying drawing in which The present invention is applicable to door operator systems generally irrespective of the particulars of construction of either the door itself or the drive mechanism for moving it many forms of which are well known in the art, and, accordingly, a brief description of these parts which are combined with the novel control system will sufllce.

The particular door illustrated herein (Fig. l) is of the so-called overhead type. It is made up of a plurality of horizontal sections ll hingedly connected so that the door may be slid upwardly and inwardly along a curved trackway H on which it is supported by rollers l3. when in its closed position, as shown, the door I0 is vertical and closes a doorway H in a wall l5. When moved upwardly along the trackway 12, it finally reaches an open position in which it rests on the horizontal upper arms of the trackway.

The power drive mechanism for the door Ill shown herein embodies a reversible electric motor l6 provided with alternatively energizable field windings ll and ll", one or the other of which is energized to acccomplish rotation of the motor in the corresponding direction. Through appropriate speed reducing mechanism, the motor drives one of the sprockets i8 over which an endless roller chain I9 is led. To connect the chain l 9 with the door ill, a carriage 20 is mounted for traversing movement along a horizontal trackway 2| located between the upper and lower reaches of the chain IS. A curved arm 22 is pivotally connected at its opposite ends to the carriage 20 and to a bracket 23 bolted to the innner upper portion of the inner face of the door Ill. The carriage 20 is fixed to the chain l9 and accordingly, when the lower reach of the chain is moved to the left (as viewed in Fig. l), the door III is pulled upwardly and to the rear into its open position. Similarly, when the lower reach of the chain i9 is moved to the right or in the opposite direction, the, door I0 is slid downwardly in its closed position. The configuration of the arm 22 and location of its pivots is such that, when in the position of Fig. 1, it prevents the door Ill from being pushed up, thus locking it closed.

The control system for the door operator motor 16 includes a control station designated generally by the numeral 24 (Fig. -2) and which-may be located at any suitable point either near to or comparatively remote from the door Ill as may be desired in a particular installation. Preferably, the control station embodies two sprim urged push buttons 25 and 26 which are actuated respectively for opening and closing of the door l0. During the opening operation, the door I is moved to its position of greatest safety and, accordingly, there is little or no likelihood of an emergency that would require its reversal during its opening. For that reason, the circuits are preferably arranged so that once the door opening movement has been initiated, by a more or less momentary actuation of the open push button 25, it will continue forcomplete opening of the door even though this push button is subsequently released. Consequently, the attendant need only push the button momentarily.

The closing movement of the door is comparatively dangerous, however, since someone is likely to try unexpectedly to enter the doorway at just about the time the door I!) is starting -to descend. Consequently, it is-desirable that the operator be compelled to give his attention to the operation of the system during the entire closing movement of the door. To this end, the push button 26 is arranged to actuate a switch of the hold-down type. In other words, the operator must manually. hold the push button 26 in its depressed position during the entire clostuator finger 34, the toggle passes through its dead center position so that the spring 42- snaps the finger 34 to its fully open or fully closed position.

Fixed on the rockshaft 35 is an actuator for the contacts 32 which is substantially similar to that heretofore described for the contacts 3|. This actuator includes a finger 43 fashioned as an integral projection on a plate pinned to the rockshaft 35. On this plate is formed a two horned cam 44 as well as a stop finger cooperable with the fixed plate 39. The cam 44 is arranged to be engaged by a second projection 4'! carried by the chain l9. As in the case of the ing movement of the door I0. Furthermore, the

arrangement is such that if the operator releases the push button 26 at any time before the closing movement of the door is complete, the direction of door movement will be substantially instantaneous and automatically reversed so. that the door is returned to its safe full open position.

The control station 24 in the particular construction herein shown (Fig. 2) includes a pair of normally open switch contacts 21 arranged to be bridged by depression of the open push button 25. Similarly, the "close push button 26 is arranged, when depressed, to bridge a pair of normally open switch contacts 23 and to open a pair contacts 3| is arrangedto be closed by an actuator finger 34 loosely journaled on a horizontal rockshaft 35. Integral with the actuator finger 34 is a two-horned cam lug 36 disposed in the horizontal path of movement of a lug or projection 31 fixed to the chain I9. When the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 2, movement of the lower reach of the chain |9 to the left will cause the lug 31 to strike the left hand horn of the cam 36 and swing it in a counter-clockwise direction so that the finger 34. releases the contacts 3|, thereby permitting the latter to open. Such movement of the finger 34 in a counterclockwise directionis limited by an integral stop finger 38 which contacts a fixed plate 39. Furthermore, an over-center spring-biased toggle mechanism serves to snap the actuator finger 34 to the one or the other of its extremities of movement toward which it is shifted. This toggle mechanism includes a pin 4|] pivoted at its upper end to the actuator structure at a point eccentric with the rockshaft 35 and :having its lower end projecting loosely through a hole 4| in the plate 39. A helical compression spring 42 encircles the pin 43 and bears 'at,its opposite ends against the actuator plate and against the plate 39. It will thus be seen that, in the oscillation of the acfirst actuator described, the pin 48 and spring 49 serve to complete a toggle mechanism for the actuator to accomplish a snap acting type of movement for it. With the parts disposed as shown in Fig. 2, the projection 41 strikes the left hand horn of the cam 44 when the lower reach of the chain l9 moves to the left, thereby swinging the actuator finger'43 downwardly toclose the contacts 32.

The third set of contacts 33 in the limit switch assembly 30 are actuated in coincidence with the second set of contacts 32 by anactuator finger 50 which is also pinned to the rockshaft 35. Since the actuator cam 44 is fixed to the rockshaft 35,

movement of this latter shaft, upon actuation of the cam 44 by the lug 41, serves to shift both of the actuator fingers 43 and 50 simultaneously. It will be noted, however, that the actuator finger 38 first described above moves independently of the rockshaft 35 since it is loosely journaled on it. Current for the electric driving motor I5 and associated control system may be supplied from any suitable sourcesuch, for example, as alternating current supply lines L1 and L2. The system may, for example, be designed for operation from a conventional volt alternating current supply line.

As a further safety measure, a brake 5| (Fig. 1) is applied to the motor l6, this brake being normally urged into braking position by a suitable spring mechanism (not shown). An electric solenoid 52 (Fig. 2) serves, when energized, to release'the brake 5|. Energization of the solenoid 52 is controlled by normally open contacts 53 of a relay 54 having an actuating winding 55 interposed in the common supply lead of the motor field .windings ll -l'l In this way the solenoid 52 is energized when, and only when, the motor I6 is in operation. Accordingly, inadvertent gravitational descent of the door I0 is effectively prevented at all times.

Having thus identified the principal elements of the apparatus, their interconnections will be pointed out in conjunction with the following description of the operation of the system. Assuming that the door I is closed as shownin Fig. 1, the control system parts will be in the positions illustrated in Fig. 2. .To initiate opening of the door ID, the attendant need only depress the open push button 25 for a short interval. sure of the switch contacts 21 by the push button 25 energizes one winding ll of the reversible motor |6 (through a circuit L1-56-21-5|- 2||583|5!'|----'-|I'*6|l55-La).v It will be noted that the actuating winding 55 of the solenoid controlling relay 54 is included in this circuit so that the contacts 53 are closed and the solenoid 52 thereby energized to release the brake 5|. Also included in the circuit are the contacts 29 associated with the close push button 29-. sothat if the latter push button is inadvertently" Clodepressed at the same time, it will not cause both motor field windings to be energized at once.

Upon initiation of the motor rotation for opening of the door ill in the manner described, the lower reach of the chain l9 moves to the left (as viewed in Fig. 1), and after a very short movement in this direction, the projection 41 on the chain strikes the cam 44 oscillating it in a counter-clockwise direction to'close the contacts 32.

and 33. Such closure of the contacts 33 completes an energizing circuit for the motor field winding il which is independent of the push button contacts 2'! (L1- -6l33-622958 3l-59--l1 60-55Lz) so that the motor l6 continues to be energized for opening of the door l even though the push button 25 is thereafter released. This opening movement of the door continues until at the point of its completion, the projection 31 on the chain is strikes the cam 36 thereby shifting it to the left (as viewed in Fig. 2) to open the contacts 3 I. Opening of these latter contacts interrupts the energizing circuit for the motor 16 as well as for the solenoid relay 54 so that the motor is stopped and the brake 5i automatically applied when the door is fully open. To close the door ID, the operator depresses the close push button 26 thereby energizing the alternative field winding ll of the motor l6 (through a circuit L1-63--28-64-32-65 |l 6055-Lz). It will be noted that this energizing circuit also includes the actuating winding 55 of the solenoid controlling relay 54 so that the brake 5| is automatically released. During the initial closing movement of the door, the projection 31 on the chain l9 strikes the loose cam 36 and oscillates it in a clockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 2) to reclose the contacts 3|. It will be noted that such reclosure of the contacts 3| does not energize the other motor field winding I'I however, since the circuit for this latter winding is interrupted at the contacts 29 so long as the close push button 26 is held depressed. The operator holds the push button 26 depressed through the entire closing movement of the door l0. At the termination of this closing movement, the second projection 41 on the chain 19 finally strikes the cam 44 and returns the rockshaft 35 to its position shown in Fig. 2 so that the contacts 32 and 33 are opened. In this way, the energizing winding I! for the motor I6 is finally open circuited, as is the relay 54, so that the motor I6 is stopped and the brake 5| applied.

A release of the close push button 26 at any time during the closing movement of the door l0 causes the door to be automatically restored to its open position. Such release causes the contacts 28 to be opened so that the motor winding H" is open-circuited and at the same time, the contacts 29 are closed. Closure of these contacts completes a circuit for the other motor energizing winding I l since the contacts 3| are reclosed at the beginning of the closing movement of the door as was previously noted. In this way, the motor I6 is energized for opening movement of the door and returns the same to its fully open position. The motor I6 is, of course, stopped automatically at the completion of the opening movement in the manner previously described. In this way, the attendant is compelled to give his attention to the operation of the system during the closing of the door III since he must hold the close" push button 26 depressed throughout the entire closing movement of the door; Furthermore, if an emergency arises such as an unexpected attempt of some person or vehicle to depress the open push button 25 more or less momentarily. During the comparatively dangerous closing of the door, however, maximum safety is achieved by compelling his attention to the operation and facilitating reopening of the door in case of necessity as described. Finally, the automatic reopening of the door, in the event the close push button 26 is released during the door closing operation, makes it impossible for the door to be left in a dangerous partially open position.

Although a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in some detail, there is no intention to thereby limit the invention to such embodiment, but, on the other hand, the appended claims are intended to cover all modifications and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a power operator for a closure member, the combination of a reversible electric motor driving means having two windings selectively energizable to cause opening and closing movement of said member, a circuit through said closing winding including a manually operable switch, a circuit for said opening winding including a switch which is closed and open when said manually operable switch is open and closed respectively and a second switch actuated in timed relation with movement of said member and held closed except when said member is in fully closed position, and an alternative circuit for said opening winding controlled by a second manually operable switch in parallel with said last mentioned switch.

2. The combination with a power actuated opcrating means for a member such as a door movable between first and second limit positions, and a pair of manuallyactuatable control members, of means responsive to a momentary actuation of one of said control members for causing said power actuating means to move said movable member from said first limit position to the second, means responsive only to a continuous actuation of the other of said control members for causing said power actuated means to move said member from said second limit position to the first, and means automatically rendered operative upon release of said other control member at any point in the last named movement of said movable member to cause said power actuated means to return the movable member to said second limit position.

3. In combination, a reversible electric driving motor adapted to be operatively connected to an associated movable member and having alternatively available first and second energizing circuits for operating the motor in corresponding directions of rotation for moving said member in respectively opposite directions between first and second limit positions, an electric supply circuit, individual connections between said supply circuit and said two energizing circuits, each of said connections having two pairs of normally open contacts interposed therein, means actuated in timed relation with the movement of said movable member for retaining one of said pairs of contacts in each of said connections closed during movement of the member from said second to said first limit position or vice versa and for causing the pair of such contacts interposed in said first energizing circuit to open at the completion of the movement of said member to said second limit position to stop said motor and similarly for causing the pair of such contacts interposed in said second energizing circuit to open at the completion of the movement of said member to said firstlimit position to stop said motor, manually operable means for closing one or the other of the remaining pairs of contacts in each of said connections, means rendered operative upon an initiation of the movement of said member toward said first limit position for partially completing an additional connection between said supply circuit and said second'energizing circuit, and means rendered operativ upon opening of said manually actuated contacts in said connection to said first energizing circuit for finally completing said partially completed connection to said second energizing circuit to thereby cause the member to be returned toward its second limit position.

4. In combination, a reversible electric driving motor adapted to be operatively connected to an associated movable member and having alternatively available first and second energizing circuits for operating the motor in corresponding directions of rotation for moving said member in respectively opposite directions between first and second limit positions, means including a first switch for efiecting a completion of said first energizing circuit to cause the motor to move said member toward said first limit position, means including second and third switches for effecting completion of said second energizing circuit to cause the motor to move said member toward said second limit position, means actuated in timed relation with the movement of said movable member for retaining said third switch closed during movement of the member from said first to saidsecond limit position and for causing said third switch to open at the completion of the movement of said member to said first limit position to stop said motor, said first and second switches being normally open manually operable switches, alternatively available circuit means for effecting completion of said second energizing circuit, means rendered operative upon an initiation of the movement of a member toward said first limit position for preliminarily conditioning said alternative means for operation, and means rendered operative upon opening of said first switch for finally conditioning said preliminarily conditioned alternative means to complete said first energizing circuit and thereby cause the member to be returned toward its second limit position.

5. In a power operator for a closure member, the combination of a reversible electric motor driving means having two windings selectively energizable to cause opening and closing movement of said member, means including a manually operable switch for completing a circuit through said closing winding, means for completing a circuit for said opening winding, said last named means including a switch which is closed and opened when said manually operable switch is opened and closed respectively and a second switch actuated in timed relation with the movement of said member and held closed except when said member is in fully closed position, and an alternative means for completing an energizing circuit for said opening winding con- 

